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July 23, 2013

On August 29, 2011 StateImpact Idaho wrote this welcome post, introducing ourselves to the state, and explaining the stories we hoped to tell. Now, just shy of two years later, we’re signing off. Don’t worry, this site will remain here as an archive, and we hope, as a resource. But it will no longer be [...]

July 11, 2013

Idaho is one of five states that saw housing prices climb by more than 12 percent from the first quarter of 2012 to the first quarter of 2013. In Idaho, home prices are up 15.1 percent over the first quarter of last year. But as the State Economic Monitor from the Tax Policy Institute points [...]

July 10, 2013

It costs more to get by in rural Idaho than it does in Boise, the state’s population center. That’s according to the Economic Policy Institute’s family budget calculator. A family of four living in Boise needs $56,491 per year. A family of four in rural Idaho needs $58,071. Here’s a comparison of what it costs [...]

June 21, 2013

For the first time since June 2011, Idaho’s unemployment rate ticked up one-tenth of a percentage point in May. The Idaho Department of Labor says the workforce grew last month, contributing to an increase in the jobless rate from 6.1 percent in April to 6.2 percent in May. “May’s labor force expansion ended a four-month [...]

June 18, 2013

In less than a decade, Idaho will likely join the ranks of states with more than one area code. That’s right, Idaho’s 208 area code is quickly becoming an endangered species. This isn’t a new story. Back in 2007, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission said the state would run out of 208 phone numbers within [...]

June 12, 2013

Data released today from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis show personal income in Idaho hasn’t fully rebounded from the recession, though growth has been measured in the last two years. The personal income data from 2007 through 2011 offers a closer look at real-time incomes in relation to the state-specific cost of goods and [...]

June 7, 2013

After a month of larger-than-expected state tax collections, the revenue report for May shows collections came in just shy of the forecast. The Division of Financial Management released its monthly general fund status update Friday afternoon. It shows state tax collections were down 2.4 percent below expectations.

June 6, 2013

Idaho’s real gross domestic product inched up less than a percentage point from 2011 to 2012. New data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis show Idaho’s GDP grew four-tenths of a percent last year. Five states measured slower growth; Wyoming, New Mexico, South Dakota, Delaware, and Connecticut. Connecticut was the only U.S. [...]

May 23, 2013

New census numbers released this week reinforce something we’ve known for a while: Idaho continues to lose population in rural communities. In 1990, 59 percent of Idahoans lived in cities. Last year, that number was 69 percent. “A third of the city population gain in 2012 came in Ada County, where the suburban community of [...]

May 20, 2013

StateImpact Idaho picked up 12 local and regional journalism awards over the weekend. At the risk of being too boastful, we wanted to share these accolades with you. At the annual Idaho Press Club awards we took home six 1st place prizes, two 2nd place, and one 3rd place. Website, Special Purpose – Radio: 1st [...]